I have fond memories of listening to The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson on audiobook with my family on long road trips to visit relatives for Christmas. We did this a few years in a row because it was a book we could all enjoy, adults and children alike. We couldn’t help busting out in laughter several times throughout the story. And it doesn’t matter how much time passes…it’s a timeless classic. I think what always stuck with me, though, is that you’re never too far gone. The Christmas story is relevant and significant no matter your age, background or personal disposition. Those Herdman kids…they’re crazy! But they were open-minded and willing to humbly learn about the story of Jesus’s birth. I think that’s a lesson we can all take away this Christmas season.
So, for those who don’t already know, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson is a delightful story about the horrible Herdmans and how they turn a church Christmas pageant upside down! The characters learn about the true reason for Christmas and give a fresh perspective to the Christmas story from the Bible. Your students are sure to enjoy it as much as I did when I was young! With only 7 chapters, it’s the best light read to use in the month of December.
This comprehensive novel study resource includes everything you need to teach this book! Simplify your lesson planning with this no-prep unit. These pages were created to guide your students through the novel, hold them accountable for their reading, and assess their comprehension through a number of fun and challenging activities. The download includes both printable pages and a digital version your students can complete online through Google classroom.
This resource can be used as a whole-class novel study, small group reading groups, or an individual project. You can pick and choose the activities you’d like to use or print out the entire packet for your students to complete. This unit will keep your students engaged during a busy time of year and teach them the story of Jesus’s birth in a tangible (and hilarious!) and memorable way.
Here are some of the activities included in this unit:
Cause and Effect – This reading comprehension activity includes four cause statements and four corresponding blank boxes. Your students will read the cause statement and fill out a corresponding effect statement based on what they remember happened in chapter 6.
Extra! Extra! Read All About it! – This unique activity is a fun way for your students to use their imagination! This worksheet asks your students to imagine they are journalists, seeing the crazy Christmas pageant featuring the goofy Herdman kids. In this worksheet, they will write a newspaper article describing the pageant and then draw a picture to accompany it.
Dictionary Detective – This activity includes four vocabulary words from each chapter (words like sympathize, penitentiary, sacrilegious, etc.) and asks them to look up the definition in the dictionary and write them down in the corresponding blank box.
What Other Parents/Teachers Are Saying:
“My students LOVED this book – they begged me to keep reading. These activities were the perfect thing to keep them engaged and learning through the chaos that is teaching in December.” -Joan F.
“My students were challenged and engaged when using this resource.” – Linda T.
“A great resource to a great Christmas story!” – Jennifer S.
I know you will love this book and accompanying novel study as much as I enjoyed reading and putting it together! I hope this book gives you an opportunity to slow down and have a good laugh with your students. As Gladys says, “Hey! Unto you a child is born!”
Enjoy this festive time of year in the classroom and don’t forget to tell them the reason for the season…because Jesus humbled Himself and came to be born as a baby, He was able to grow up and fulfill the prophecies of the Messiah. Jesus’s birth leads to Jesus’s death on the cross for our sins so we can joyful
